Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, CA) articles from January 2005

Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, CA) archives from January 2005

NBA rankings.
January 1, 2005... Byline: Marcus Thompson II RANKINGS Rank . . . Team . .. Comment . . .Previous 1. Spurs 25-0 when they outshoot opponents, 0-6 when they don't 4 2. Suns Have taken five West player of the week awards 1 3. Heat Win streak...

Marriage may help Anthony mature.
January 1, 2005... Byline: Marcus Thompson II WALNUT CREEK, Calif. _ It hasn't taken Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony long to emerge as one of the knuckleheads of the NBA. He seems to be one of those players who is determined to overshadow his talent with...

Warriors dismal in fourth quarter as Trail Blazers win.
January 1, 2005... Byline: Marcus Thompson II PORTLAND, Ore. _ The Golden State Warriors needed a bucket badly. Their once 14-point third-quarter lead was evaporating quickly, the momentum clearly had swung out of their favor. But with their go-to guy...

Additional tax cuts, Social Security reform draws cheers from investors.
January 1, 2005... Byline: George Avalos Jan. 1--Soon after his November re-election, President Bush vowed to reform what he called an "outdated tax code." Weeks later, at a White House conference on the economy and tax policy, the president called for...

Iverson may be little, but he plays big.
January 2, 2005... Byline: Marcus Thompson II WALNUT CREEK, Calif. _Seeing Allen Iverson with his shirt off might make you hungry. Witnessing his negative body fat, the definition in his rib cage, the puniness of his chest. It'll have you mowing down...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., bankruptcies column.
January 2, 2005... Jan. 2--The following businesses filed for legal protection from creditors in the federal bankruptcy court in Oakland. Companies most commonly file for protection under three chapters of the bankruptcy code: Chapter 7, which involves...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., business bulletin column.
January 2, 2005... Jan. 2--MONDAY, JAN. 3: --Experience Unlimited of Pleasant Hill, a no-fee, nonprofit volunteer organization sponsored by California Employment Development Department to help professionals seeking new jobs, holds an orientation, 8:30 a.m....

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., business listing column.
January 2, 2005... Jan. 2--The following individuals or corporations filed fictitious-business-name statements in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. The Times makes every effort to ensure accuracy but cannot be held responsible if there are errors or omissions in...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., people in motion column.
January 2, 2005... Jan. 2--Bob Routt has joined the mortgage team at Union Trust Mortgage Services in Danville as a senior loan officer. Debra Young has been appointed vice president and chief financial officer at ViOptix, a Fremont-based developer and...

California energy official sees no crisis repeat.
January 2, 2005... Byline: Rick Jurgens Jan. 2--As a candidate, Arnold Schwarzenegger called for "a rational and consistent power policy" and "a clear energy strategy that focuses on attracting new investments in California." Keeping those promises now...

Collins, Wheatley hope change is on way for reeling Raiders.
January 2, 2005... Byline: Steve Corkran OAKLAND, Calif. _ Sunday's 13-6 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars brought about an end to the Raiders season and the kickoff of the second season. No, we're not talking about the playoffs. The Raiders missed those...

Oakland, Calif., organization helps immigrants start over with start-up help.
January 2, 2005... Byline: Jessica Guynn Jan. 2--OAKLAND, Calif. -- The ravages of poverty on a distant continent left their mark on Farhana Huq when as a child she visited her father's native Bangladesh. "Coming from a place where we have so much to one of...

49ers veterans will be patient with offseason moves.
January 3, 2005... Byline: Cam Inman FOXBORO, Mass. _ Considering last offseason's sweep of veterans out the doors, several 49ers players braced for the uncertainty that awaits them following Sunday's 21-7 season-ending loss to the host New England Patriots....

Keeping Porter is Raiders' offseason priority.
January 3, 2005... Byline: Eric Gilmore OAKLAND, Calif. _ Apparently, vultures weren't available Sunday. So the Raiders made do with seagulls circling above rain-soaked Network Associates Coliseum as their 5-11 carcass of a season ended with a 13-6 loss to...

Crockett bright spot for Raiders, rushes for 134 yards in rain.
January 3, 2005... Byline: Steve Corkran OAKLAND, Calif. _ In the category of, Where Has That Been All Season? Try Raiders running back Zack Crockett for 134 yards rushing against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Yes, that Zack Crockett. The one who...

Investors playing foreign markets must navigate currency, other hazards.
January 3, 2005... Byline: George Avalos Jan. 3--A tsunami and earthquake devastate large swaths of South Asia and Africa and leave their economic future in doubt. China's white-hot economy starts to cool. Japan begins a tentative recovery. Much of Europe...

Investors must tread carefully through shifting areas of market risks, rewards.
January 3, 2005... Byline: George Avalos Jan. 3--Investors may find that some stock sectors that were dogs during 2004 could have their day in 2005. Yet the opposite also could be true. Some sectors that rocketed higher last year could sputter and flame...

Stocks are poised for yet more gains in 2005.
January 3, 2005... Byline: George Avalos Jan. 3--Two in a row! Now, how about a three-peat? The joy, in this case, has nothing to do with the feeling 49ers, Raiders or Warriors fans might have on the rare occasions their respective teams manage to scrape...

California high-tech firms lead way in fourth quarter.
January 3, 2005... Byline: George Avalos Jan. 3--High-tech companies are hot again. But before investors start to fret and mutter the "b" word -- as in bubble -- they can set their minds at ease. The gains are based on solid firms and solid products. ...

Technology sector is well positioned for upsurge in 2005.
January 3, 2005... Byline: Ellen Lee Jan. 3--The issues: President Bush has made the push for high-speed Internet access for the masses one of his key high-tech directives for his second term, a goal that should benefit a wide swath of technology...

Warriors' PF Murphy proving naysayers wrong.
January 3, 2005... Byline: Marcus Thompson II OAKLAND, Calif. _Warriors power forward Troy Murphy had Sacramento Kings power forward Chris Webber isolated one-on-one on the right wing, a bounce pass away from the Warriors bench. Murphy tried to drive to...

QB Rodgers is opting out at Cal.
January 3, 2005... Byline: Jay Heater WALNUT CREEK, Calif. _ Instead of returning to the team he loves, Cal junior quarterback Aaron Rodgers announced Monday that he would pursue his childhood dream of playing in the NFL by giving up his senior year of...

49ers Erickson on hot seat with owner.
January 3, 2005... Byline: Cam Inman SANTA CLARA, Calif. _ Tuesday could bring yet more change to the 49ers' embattled franchise, one that has hit rock bottom only 10 seasons after winning its fifth Super Bowl title. Coach Dennis Erickson confirmed...

Erickson, Donahue in limbo.
January 3, 2005... Byline: Cam Inman SANTA CLARA, Calif. _ An ominous feeling hung in the air Monday at the 49ers complex, a day after they finished their season with a league-worst 2-14 record. Players limped to their cars with cardboard boxes...

Quarterback continues his roller coaster of a season.
January 3, 2005... Byline: Gary Peterson OAKLAND, Calif. _ You never get a second chance to make a last impression. Thus, the Raiders plunge into the restorative waters of the offseason not fully knowing what kind of quarterback they have in Kerry Collins....

Dam safety, flood risk questioned for San Francisco-area reservoirs.
January 4, 2005... Byline: Mike Taugher Jan. 4--The Bay Area, home to a several reservoirs looming over residential areas, is unprepared for the possibility that a dam could collapse and bring catastrophic flooding to the homes below. That's the...

Grocery deal in Sacramento, Calif., area ups health care costs.
January 4, 2005... Byline: James Temple Jan. 4--A tentative labor agreement between six supermarkets and a Sacramento area union, widely viewed as a harbinger for ongoing Bay Area negotiations, hikes worker health care costs and exacts other economic...

IPO market snaps back in Walnut Creek, Calif., area.
January 4, 2005... Byline: George Avalos Jan. 4--For the first time since 1999, initial public offerings in the Bay Area raised more money than they did the year before. That breaks a string of four straight years of declining dollar volume for IPOs in...

Don't shun stepchildren.
January 4, 2005... Byline: Jann Blackstone-Ford and Sharyl Jupe Q: I am madly in love with a man I met three months ago. The problem is he has a child from a previous relationship. Thankfully, the mom has full custody. We're already talking marriage. We've...

Raiders one year removed from playoffs, Turner says.
January 4, 2005... Byline: Steve Corkran ALAMEDA, Calif. _ Raiders coach Norv Turner hasn't even begun tinkering with his roster in anticipation of next season. Yet, he already knows what to expect from the 53 players who will make up that team. Tune...

49ers' LB Smith vows to be more vocal.
January 4, 2005... Byline: Cam Inman SANTA CLARA, Calif. _ Linebacker Derek Smith left the team facility Monday determined to return next season in a more vocal leadership role to better serve the 49ers' wayward young players. "There's some guys on this...

HMO drug rules tightened in California.
January 5, 2005... Byline: Judy Silber Jan. 5--The California Department of Managed Health Care on Tuesday strengthened its authority by issuing new rules that will force HMOs to seek the agency's approval before denying prescription drug coverage. ...

Contra Costa, Calif., newspaper firm announces key management changes.
January 5, 2005... Byline: George Avalos Jan. 5--WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Contra Costa Newspapers on Tuesday announced two appointments designed to help the company comply with financial and circulation requirements and to bolster the newspaper chain's...

Oracle shakes up key executives.
January 5, 2005... Byline: Ellen Lee Jan. 5--PeopleSoft Inc. is not the only one being shaken up by Oracle Corp.'s $10.3 billion takeover. Oracle, which is expected to close the deal formally today, has replaced two of its senior executives, sources...

Sugar free: Lemony Snicket author skips the saccharine in his stories, to the delight of kids who eat them up.
January 5, 2005... Byline: Liz Tascio WALNUT CREEK, Calif. _ Unbelievably, Daniel Handler proves to be something of an idealist. Handler, aka Lemony Snicket, is the author of "A Series of Unfortunate Events," a collection of rather dark children's books...

Warriors miss Richardson in loss to Celtics.
January 5, 2005... Byline: Marcus Thompson II BOSTON _ Golden State Warriors point guard Speedy Claxton fell on the loose ball and immediately called a timeout. There was 16.9 seconds left in the fourth quarter, and the Warriors trailed by one. Normally...

Amber Frey's book doesn't last long on shelves in Walnut Creek, Calif., area.
January 6, 2005... Byline: Scott Marshall Jan. 6--It sold out on the first day at Borders in Pleasant Hill, flew off the shelves and into the hands of bargain hunters at Target in Walnut Creek and is moving well at Barnes and Noble. "Witness for the...

New California proposition tackles sex education.
January 6, 2005... Byline: Jackie Burrell Jan. 6--The same man who led the drive to put Governor Gray Davis' recall on the state ballot in 2003 now has received state approval to circulate petitions for a proposition to severely restrict sex education in...

Study says mud pile in Richmond, Calif., should be considered toxic.
January 6, 2005... Byline: Rebecca Rosen Lum Jan. 6--RICHMOND, Calif. -- A state Department of Toxic Substances Control study released this week shows that 4,000 cubic yards of marsh mud piled on the Campus Bay development site should be reclassed as...

California followers of Indian spiritual leader work on tsunami relief effort.
January 6, 2005... Byline: Linda Davis Jan. 6--CASTRO VALLEY, Calif. -- While Indian spiritual leader Amma, known worldwide as "the Hugging Saint," directs relief efforts in south India's villages, her Bay Area followers work feverishly to ship thousands of...

California bill would limit workers' comp rates.
January 6, 2005... Byline: George Avalos Jan. 6--A key state lawmaker on Wednesday introduced a bill that would place price controls on premiums that insurance companies charge for workers' compensation. The legislation, proposed by Sen. Richard Alarcon,...

Arizona's second-half run leaves Cal behind.
January 6, 2005... Byline: Jonathan Okanes BERKELEY, Calif. _ Before the 9,350 at Haas Pavilion could even complete the thought_that perhaps Cal could upset Arizona for the second year in a row_it was over. Just when the Bears had fought back to take...

Around the remote: TV picks for Jan. 9-15.
January 6, 2005... Byline: Chuck Barney DON'T MISS: "TILT": Remember "Playmakers," the one-season wonder about pro football on ESPN? The controversial drama series went over well with critics and viewers, but the big, bad NFL was not amused. And since...

Drug discount plan proposed in California.
January 7, 2005... Byline: Judy Silber Jan. 7--Voluntary discounts pledged by pharmaceutical companies and pharmacists will be the cornerstone of a proposal to significantly lower prescription drug prices for the uninsured, state officials said Thursday. ...

Holiday sales results are nothing to celebrate.
January 7, 2005... Byline: James Temple Jan. 7--Bay Area retailers posted mostly mediocre holiday sales Thursday, mirroring nationwide results. Overall, 2004 holiday sales increased between 2.5 percent and 3 percent, according to estimates from New...

Regulator revamp plan raises concerns in California.
January 7, 2005... Byline: Dan Laidman Jan. 7--Groups representing professionals as diverse as doctors, architects, accountants and exterminators expressed concern Thursday about Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to eliminate the state boards and commissions...

Something old, something new in NFL playoffs.
January 7, 2005... Byline: Eric Gilmore A year ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers were assessing the damage from a 6-10 season as the NFL playoffs unfolded. The San Diego Chargers were deciding whether to fire coach Marty Schottenheimer after a 4-12 debacle....

Country singer had storybook career start.
January 7, 2005... Byline: Tony Hicks Someday they'll make a feel-good movie about Julie Roberts' life. It'll begin with a little girl belching at her first singing performance and end with a young women in her 20s, looking nervous behind a desk outside...

Warriors' offense is lacking in loss to Nets.
January 7, 2005... Byline: Marcus Thompson II EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. _ It would be easy for the Golden State Warriors to fall back on the "we have injuries" excuse. The loss of guard Jason Richardson, the team's leading scorer and most intimidating...

Sacramento, Calif.-area grocers approve deal.
January 8, 2005... Byline: James Temple Jan. 8--After nearly a year of negotiations, Sacramento area grocery workers have, by an 83.2 percent margin, ratified a three-year labor contract with six supermarkets. The deal, which will form a template for the...

San Francisco Bay-area grocers to let labor pacts expire.
January 8, 2005... Byline: James Temple Jan. 8--In a bid to push bargaining forward, the three supermarkets engaged in contentious Bay Area labor negotiations said they will allow the contracts covering 30,000 grocery workers, twice renewed since talks...

U.S. job growth seen as healthy in 2004.
January 8, 2005... Byline: George Avalos Jan. 8--The nation's labor market ended the year on a healthy note, adding enough jobs in December to enable 2004 to be the best year for job creation since 1999, the government reported Friday. The economy...

St. Mary's shocks No. 11 Gonzaga.
January 8, 2005... Byline: Jennifer Starks MORAGA, Calif. _ The buildup began as soon as Ronny Turiaf's first free throw hit the back rim and bounced to the floor with 56.7 seconds left. Thousands of fans, the bulk of whom were decked out in red "Beat the...

Will opportunity knock for St. Mary's Bennett after big upset?
January 8, 2005... Byline: Neil Hayes MORAGA, Calif. _ The standing-room-only crowd chanted OVER-RATED and then charged the floor when the buzzer sounded. This is what they envisioned for St. Mary's basketball_a little school playing big-time college...

Heat's dynamic duo the newest force of history.
January 9, 2005... Byline: Marcus Thompson II There's the Los Angeles Lakers' Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain. There's the Boston Celtics' John Havlicek and Bill Russell. There's the New York Knicks' Earl Monroe...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., business bulletin column.
January 9, 2005... Jan. 9--MONDAY, JAN. 10 --Experience Unlimited of Pleasant Hill, a no-fee, nonprofit volunteer organization sponsored by California Employment Development Department to help professionals seeking new jobs, holds an orientation, 8:30 a.m....

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., people in motion column.
January 9, 2005... Jan. 9--SANGAMO BIOSCIENCES INC. has appointed David Ichikawa as senior vice president, business development. He will have responsibility for all licensing and business development activities for the Point Richmond company. JIM BREZACK has...

Warriors' slide reaches five after Raptors rally.
January 9, 2005... Byline: Marcus Thompson II TORONTO _ Golden State forward Troy Murphy came upon coach Mike Montgomery's clipboard resting on the scorer's table as he walked toward the bench during a third-quarter timeout. Murphy lifted his left fist...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., business listing column.
January 9, 2005... Jan. 9--The following individuals or corporations filed fictitious-business-name statements in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. The Times makes every effort to ensure accuracy but cannot be held responsible if there are errors or omissions in...

Playoffs: The good, bad and the ugly.
January 10, 2005... Byline: Gary Peterson Things you can learn when armed with a TV, a sofa, cold- and flu-like symptoms and a weekend of playoff football: _ Randy Moss has long had the reputation of being an ass; Sunday he showed it. Even before he...

Flu vaccine market faces chaotic year.
January 10, 2005... Byline: Judy Silber WALNUT CREEK, Calif. _ Chiron Corp.'s forced departure in October from the flu vaccine market has turned upside down planning for the 2005-06 influenza season. "This coming season is going to be difficult," said Len...

`Rwanda Hotel' manager downplays his role, but he is a hero to the 1,000-plus he saved.
January 10, 2005... Byline: Robert Taylor WALNUT CREEK, Calif. _ Paul Rusesabagina still looks like a hotel manager _ gracious, open and self-assured _ as he sits behind the polished expanse of a conference table at the Ritz-Carlton on San Francisco's Nob...

Carmel, Calif.: It's my kind of town.
January 10, 2005... Byline: Anne Chalfant CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, Calif. _ The dollhouse village of Carmel-by-the-Sea leaves its mark on visitors. They just want to live here. It's understandable. Carmel wraps itself around the concept of cozy, with...

Hospital visit has special meaning for East-West Shrine players.
January 10, 2005... Byline: Joe Stiglich SACRAMENTO, Calif. _ Visiting with the young patients at Shriners Hospital in Sacramento on Sunday meant a lot to BYU defensive back Aaron Francisco. It meant even more to some of his closest loved ones across the...

Bulls' Curry shows off low-post skills to beat Warriors.
January 10, 2005... Byline: Marcus Thompson II CHICAGO _ Golden State Warriors coach Mike Montgomery has talked all season about his lack of a low-post option, which has been an offensive hindrance. Neither of his current centers _ Clifford Robinson,...

Warriors spiraling out of control.
January 10, 2005... Byline: Marcus Thompson II CHICAGO _ Between the third and fourth quarters at the United Center on Monday, after the Chicago Bulls put together a 24-8 run to take a 19-point lead into the final period, Warriors coach Mike Montgomery went...

Two more aiming to be 49ers head coach.
January 10, 2005... Byline: Cam Inman WALNUT CREEK, Calif. _ The first three coaching candidates on 49ers owner John York's interview docket all have something in common_none has been an NFL head coach. After kicking off the interview process Saturday...

Despite past healthy year, biotechnology aches.
January 11, 2005... Byline: Judy Silber Jan. 11--SAN FRANCISCO -- On the surface, biotechnology investors have more to celebrate about the industry than they've had in a while. In 2004, the biotechnology index outperformed both the Nasdaq and the Dow...

California's workers' compensation rates fall slowly.
January 11, 2005... Byline: George Avalos Jan. 11--The savings that were supposed to sprout from reform of California's wobbly workers' compensation system seem to be elusive so far. To be sure, insurance companies, on average, have reduced over the past...

Dictating to ex not an effective tactic.
January 11, 2005... Byline: Jann Blackstone-Ford and Sharyl Jupe Q: Yesterday my 4-year-old daughter caught me in my underwear. She took one look at me and said, "Mommy, why don't you wear underwear like Marci?" Marci is my ex-husband's new wife, and after a...

Pomo Indians pledge community trust if Oakland, Calif.-area casino is approved.
January 11, 2005... Byline: Guy Ashley Jan. 11--OAKLAND, Calif. -- Officials from a landless tribe of Pomo Indians said Monday they will create a $2 million- a-year community trust if they get approval for a Las Vegas-style casino near Oakland International...

Warrick is the best college player this season so far.
January 12, 2005... Byline: Jonathan Okanes It's January, which can only mean a few things. Some new laws have taken effect, the Warriors already are out of the playoff race, and it's time to hand out some midseason awards: PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Illinois...

Proposed design change in new San Francisco-area bridge leads to cost overruns.
January 12, 2005... Byline: Mike Adamick Jan. 12--A team of engineers says the current single-tower suspension span of the new Bay Bridge requires no new design work. Another team of federal transportation planners says the tower is the least risky...

Workers in California exposed to radiation at lab may get compensation.
January 12, 2005... Byline: Betsy Mason Jan. 12--Workers who became sick from exposure to radioactive materials or other dangerous substances while working at Livermore Laboratory and other Energy Department facilities may finally get the compensation to...

Warriors' woes continue as Heat wins _ minus Wade.
January 12, 2005... Byline: Marcus Thompson II OAKLAND, Calif. _ The Golden State Warriors can say they did a pretty good job on Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal. He finished with 26 points on 9-for-15 shooting and 12 rebounds, but considering the...

Former poker professionals bet on fad by tutoring players in California.
January 13, 2005... Byline: Dan Laidman Jan. 13--CASTRO VALLEY, Calif. -- Jack Cochran and Chris Hinkley locked eyes across the table. Hinkley raised; Cochran drove the stakes even higher. Their classmates delighted in the sudden showdown. Hinkley, 18,...

`The Assassination of Richard Nixon'.
January 13, 2005... Byline: Mary F. Pols In 1974, an unknown salesman named Samuel Byck attempted to hijack a plane, planning to crash it into the White House and kill Richard Nixon. If you haven't heard of him, it's probably because the plane never even left...

Around the remote: TV picks for Jan. 16-22.
January 13, 2005... Byline: Chuck Barney DON'T MISS: "UNFORGIVABLE BLACKNESS: THE RISE AND FALL OF JACK JOHNSON": Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Ken Burns long has been interested in the thorny subject of race. It was, after all, a strong ingredient in...

Berkeley, Calif.-based firm retools contract for psoriasis drug.
January 14, 2005... Byline: Judy Silber Jan. 14--SAN FRANCISCO -- When Xoma Ltd. executives negotiated a contract eight years ago for the psoriasis drug Raptiva, they thought they had hit the jackpot. Genentech Inc. needed help manufacturing Raptiva, and...

California commission tightens utility's billing rules.
January 14, 2005... Byline: James Temple Jan. 14--The California Public Utilities Commission unanimously passed a resolution Thursday that stiffens the rules regarding PG&E's controversial practice of issuing delayed or estimated bills in lieu of checking...

Warriors' skid reaches eight games.
January 14, 2005... Byline: Marcus Thompson II SEATTLE _ Golden State Warriors point guard Speedy Claxton was apparently tired of his team's third-quarter woes and seemed determined to stop them. He single-handedly took over the Warriors' offense _...

Walnut Creek, Calif., region gains 12,000 jobs in 2004.
January 15, 2005... Byline: George Avalos Jan. 15--Despite a dismal December, the job market in the East Bay and the Bay Area bounced back in 2004. Normally, December is a month with strong hiring. But after adjusting for seasonal trends, the East Bay...

Mirant settlement with California may add clout to PG&E in market.
January 15, 2005... Byline: Rick Jurgens Jan. 15--A multimillion-dollar settlement with an Atlanta company accused of price-gouging during the 2000-01 energy crisis could strengthen PG&E Corp.'s hand in wholesale power markets in Northern and Central...

Berkeley, Calif., entrepreneur imports olive oil from Palestine.
January 15, 2005... Byline: Dan Laidman Jan. 15--OAKLAND, Calif. -- In the months after Sept. 11, 2001, Bashir Anastas drifted away from his career as a traffic engineer and toward engagement in global affairs. Now, energized by his stint as a peace...